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The former Coast Guard vessel Alexander Henry, a prominent feature on Kingston's waterfront since 1985, will be dry docked in the historic Kingston Dry Dock adjacent to the Marine Museum this winter. The ship dry docking project came about as a consequence of the Dry Dock rehabilitation project currently underway on the Public Works and Government Services Canada owned site.

Project contractor Doornekamp Construction Ltd., will place keel and bilge blocks under the ship over the next few weeks. In February, once a new gate is lifted into place at the Lake Ontario end of the dry dock, the dock will be drained, leaving the Alexander Henry high and dry on the blocks.

"Dry docking the ship gives the Marine Museum a great opportunity to inspect the ship's hull, and to deal with related artefact conservation issues," said museum director Ann Blake.

The Alexander Henry is the Marine Museum's largest artefact. The vessel served as a buoy tender and light icebreaker, spending most of its Coast Guard years on the Great Lakes. After its decommissioning, the ship was obtained by the Marine Museum, and has served as a floating maritime gallery and seasonal bed and breakfast since 1986.